DIY Galvanized Lantern Update

Paint your Own Galvanized Lanterns

Like lots of others over the summer, we are busy fixing up our outdoor spaces. We have a small front porch, the main back deck and a patio that need repainting and updating. The costs add up so as usual, the plan is to use what we already have on hand, a DIY lantern project is exactly what we needed.k

a Slowly I have been collecting various galvanized containers in all sorts of sizes and shapes. The galvanized pots are going to become flower pots and servers. These DIY lanterns with their shiny metallic paint job will be a perfect match.

g Instead of purchasing new lanterns I worked out a way to refurbish some old fall lanterns that were no longer used or liked very much. As you can see the paint finish is quite damaged from sitting outside in the fall weather.

Metallic Paint Supplies

Searching through Lowes we found some spray on metallic paints that would brighten up these old lanterns, but I wanted a more textured appearance than the spray on paint would give me.

Instead of using the spray paint I used DecorArt American Decor metallic paints from Michaels. These paints come in lots of metallic colours, silvers, bronze, gold etc.. In Canada they were $10 for an 8 oz jar. The three lanterns used 1/3 of the silver and hardly any of the sterling silver.

If you want a more rugged vintage looks you could use some use copper paint to add some rust. I want these lanterns to look new and bright so I chose only two colours, Silver, and Sterling Silver.a

a

Painting the Galvanized Lanterns

Start by carefully removing the glass and set aside. Thoroughly wash and dry all the lanterns.

With a small brush paint, all the surfaces of the lantern with the Silver metallic paint until the original colour is covered; the orange took three coats to cover. Make sure to let the paint dry well between each coat. Remember to do the inside of the roof, both sides of the tabs that hold the glass in place and the bottom of your lantern. Once all the surfaces are painted the finish will look like this. If you like the smoother texture you can leave it as is, or sweep on some sterling silver using an almost dry brush. I added more texture.a

To get the rougher texture lightly dip the end of the metal sponge into the Sterling Silver paint and dab it onto the surface of the lantern. Use the dry portions of the metal sponge to dab off the access. The streaks are long and thin, they aren’t round dots like you would get with a regular sponge. The finish will look like this.

These lanterns are so bright and shiny in the sunshine. They look so nice and brand new. The galvanized lanterns are one of the projects for my summer porch update and I love how they turned out. They should go very well with my neutral metallic fall decor as well.

The Front Porch Updates

We have a bench made, the front door repainted, both decks and the privacy wall stained. We found and Hubs refurbished a fountain for the patio. There are several buckets of pansies planted and waiting in the living room for better weather. It’s a struggle because the weather isn’t cooperating but I will have more outdoor projects on the blog soon.

If you like this project idea, please pin it for later. Please comment and let me know what you think.

These turned out beautifully Leanna! They were pretty in red before but I am partial to the galvanized look 😉 Great job. Thanks so much for linking them up to the Inspiration Galore Project Party last week. You are one of my features tomorrow over at http://www.recreateddesigns.com. Pinned and shared. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Lisa

Leanna-I know I have to paint my garage sale lantern, and I have been very afraid of doing so. This post is so helpful! Following your direction will be a big help. Your lanterns turned out beautifully, and I am looking forward to more of your outdoor posts !

Hi Leanna! This is seriously so cute! I’ve been wanting to do some projects like this to add some charm to my yard. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂 We love seeing you share with us each week at Dishing It & Digging It!

Welcome. Happy your here!

My name is Leanna. I live too far north in Edmonton, Canada. Although I never dreamed decades of single parenting would develop into blogging. I love creating DIY tutorials and crafts to encourage others that you don't have to be rich to have a really pretty home. Read more of my story

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